Ultimate tensile properties of elastomers. VI. Strength and extensibility of a styrene–butadiene rubber vulcanizate in equal biaxial tension

Abstract

AbstractThe ultimate properties of an unfilled styrene‐butadiene rubber vulcanizate in equal biaxial tension were determined by inflating a circular membrane into a bubble. Tests were made at several extension rates (evaluated at the pole) from about 0.15 to 4 min−1 and at temperatures from −43 to 90°C. The stress in the vicinity of the pole when rupture occurred was evaluated from the pressure, the radius of curvature, and the extension ratio λ, the latter two quantities being obtained from photographic data. Below 70°C, the ultimate extension ratio λb is approximately 5.2 and is essentially independent of extension rate and temperature, in striking contrast to the behavior in simple and constrained biaxial tension (pure shear). Likewise, the rupture stress is manyfold greater than in either simple or constrained biaxial tension. From the extremum points of failure envelopes, the maximum extension ratio (λb)max in equal biaxial tension is 5.7 and in simple tension is 7.2. An examination of ruptured membranes showed that, except at 70 and 90°C, rupture began away from the pole in a region where the stress state is unequal biaxial tension. Hence, values of the ultimate properties in truly equal biaxial tension are no doubt somewhat greater than those obtained from the membrane tests. However, it is shown that (λb)max in truly equal biaxial tension must be lower than that in simple tension by at least 10%. A consideration of rupture data in simple, constrained biaxial, and equal biaxial tension leads to the conclusion that no simple failure criterion is applicable for interrelating data obtained under the several states of combined stress. The rupture patterns and factors that affect the site of rupture initiation and the mode of crack growth are also discussed.